Pope approves miracle for Paul VI; late pontiff's beatification this fall

In this photo released by Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano Pope Francis arrives for an audience with students of the Gregoriana University, in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican, Thursday, April 10, 2014. (AP / L'Osservatore Romano)

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican says Pope Francis has approved a miracle credited to the intercession of Paul VI and set the date for the late pontiff's beatification for Oct. 19.

The Vatican on Saturday said that Francis had given the necessary authorization on Friday for beatification, the last formal step before possible sainthood.

Last month, Francis formally proclaimed as saints two other predecessors: John XXIII and John Paul II.

Paul VI, who reigned as pontiff from 1963-1978, made landmark progress in improving Catholics' relationship with other Christians. His papacy is also remembered by his decision, after years of study, to ban contraception use for Catholics, in a 1968 encyclical.